Reports Of Fraud, Abuse Surround Federal Free Phone Program

CBS Minnesota ^ | July 19, 2012 | Liz Collin

[kevcol]

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A federal program is giving away thousands of free cell phones and minutes in Minnesota, and you’re paying for it.

Helping low-income people connect to services they need, the program gives free phones with hundreds of free minutes each month to people in need to land jobs, make appointments and stay in touch with family.

But the program has come under fire for its $1 billion price tag and reports of fraud.
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Odell Hilson sold his phone for $20 because he needed the money. He didn’t remember which company gave it to him, but he didn’t seem to care that taxpayers picked up the tab.

“They would be upset, because they figure they were paying for it and if that’s the case, then that’s not my problem,” Hilson said
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Still, Arkansas Congressman Tim Griffin doesn’t think the safeguards go far enough.

He believes most phones aren’t being used to help find jobs, and they’re costing the country far too much. The republican has introduced a bill in Washington to get rid of the cell phones and only cover landline costs.

“The federal government doesn’t need to be providing people with cell phones,” Griffin said.

[kevcol]

“They would be upset, because they figure they were paying for it and if that’s the case, then that’s not my problem,” Hilson said

The Obama Phone Program

What exactly is the free Obama phone? The free Obama phone is a program that is meant to help the financially unstable who cannot afford access to a cell phone. Communication should not be limited to people in relation to what they are able to afford. The Lifeline program was actually created decades ago to help low income families have access to land lines. Over the years the cost of cell phones and cellular service has decreased and the program has been extended to cover cell phones.

During the Bush administration, there was the introduction of a project that gave subsidies to those who could not afford a phone. The basic principle of the program is that everyone should have access to emergency services like 911. There are a number of deaths that take place every year do to lack of proper communication, and access to emergency services should be a right for everyone.

The free Obama phone is an important program, especially for low income families that would otherwise not have access to basic communications. There are different plans to choose from. Some plans offer fewer minutes and more texting and some even include rollover minutes. Make sure you check out all the plans before choosing the one that is right for you. Get Started Now

Click Here to learn how to qualify. If you have further questions about the Obama Phone, visit our Obama Phone FAQ.

LINK: The Obama Phone Free Government Cell Phone Program.

[Williams]

Why doesn’t he bother to say, if you’re walking around with a free cell phone, you didn’t build that!

Imagine chastising working people so you can take their money and give it to deadbeats.

[nascarnation]

I wonder if these phones get daily texts of talking points from Baraq, MooseChelle, Nancy, and Harry?

[Fireone]

If you sell crack on the street corner with an Odumbo
free phone, didn’t you have help with that?

[Kartographer]

This is to little to late! Even if you tried to end this program now the ‘Lamestream Media’ would then be full of stories about jobs lost, doctors that could be called when needed, appointments that couldn’t get made and so forth because some heartless souls stopped a program for those less fortunate.

[DoughtyOne]

The end of last year through the first half of this year, we have received this flier at least ten times.

http://hotr.us/graphics/phoneaddsmall.jpg

[dfwgator]

"I'm shocked, just shocked!"

[MrB]

I’m shocked! shocked! that 0bama voters would fraudulently take advantage of a government program intended to help the truly needy.

“Food stamps, free cell phones, subsidized housing - because you got better things to spend your welfare check on”

[ProtectOurFreedom]

The basic principle of the program is that everyone should have access to emergency services like 911.

PURE BOSH!!

The basic principle of the program is that all the producers should give all their money to the slackers.

[mo]

Suprise!Suprise!!!

[from occupied ga]

The right to have someone else pay your doctor bills

The right to have someone else pay your phone bill

The right to have someone else pay for your groceries

The right to have someone else pay for your housing

The right to have someone else edjumacate your chillin

The responsibility to ... oh wait there aren't any responsibilities that apply to the "needy" except perhaps the responsibility to have productive sex as often as biologically possible. After all someone else has to pay for the offspring that result.

[mo]

‘The basic principle of the program..”

Its “possibly” a “subsidy” to ATT, verizon,Sprint etc....a certain amount of that might return to a certain person’s campaign financing operation this fall...

just another good example of corporate fascism...

[Roccus]

A spokesperson from the FCC said it has started to reform the program after getting complaints. By next year, it says there will be a national database to make it impossible for a household to get more than one free phone.

What are they gonna do, require picture ID before giving out these phones?

[relictele]

The basic principle of the program is that everyone should have access to emergency services like 911. PURE BOSH!!

Exactly. They want 911? Get them a 'reverse pager' that dials a single number and gives a location...or one of those alert necklaces that medical patients who are confined to their homes use.

Anything else is simply fertile ground for misuse.

[bill1952]

So, nobody freaked when they started adding those little FCC fees to your Telephone bill?

This is what they are for.
Another way to redistribute wealth, taking from you and giving to them.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

"I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents." 
--James Madison

[relictele]

to have productive sex

After encountering many of these offspring, I'm not sure the productivity score is very high :) But I know what you meant.

[Gritty]

I'd bet anything you can find the majority of "Flash Robs" are serviced by these "free" ObamaPhones.

No doubt they will also call The Faithful to vote for da Brutha in November, as well.

Our very own feral government is making us subsidize our own destruction. So, what else is new?

[Williams]

We need to stop worrying what they will say, and fight them as they fight us every day.

A candidate who called out all these freeloaders would get 60% of the vote.

[History Repeats]

I wonder how many of these phones are being used for illegal activities?

I bet a bunch are used for drug deals and gang communications.

This has bad idea written all over it.